About Us
Porta Via opened its doors on August 7, 2007, with a simple mission: bring high-end Italian deli cuisine to Pasadena at prices that are always affordable. Founded by longtime Pasadena residents Victor Ciulla (of Twin Palms fame) and John Weithas, Porta Via was built to feel like an old neighborhood market — warm, welcoming, and genuinely part of the community it serves.
The menu was developed alongside Chef Octavio Becerra, former corporate executive chef of the Patina Group, and his longtime collaborator Chef Gary Menes — bringing serious culinary pedigree to a menu that never takes itself too seriously.
Our ingredients are fresh, our sandwiches handcrafted, and our soups made from original family recipes. We prepare meat, fish, and chicken dishes with olive oil and fragrant herbs; delicatessen sandwiches and paninis on freshly-baked bread with premium Italian meats and gourmet cheeses; and savory pastas made the way they're meant to be made. Guest favorites include the Lasagna Bolognese, the Porta Via Chopped Salad, and the house-made beef meatball sandwich.
Stop in, relax, and taste why Pasadena has called Porta Via home for nearly two decades — for lunch, dinner, or takeout to go.
